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Good morning, Atsuko here.
If you've not got COVID19 vaccine, you can make reservation from 8:30am today.
Anyone who are Kumamoto city residents, older than 12 years old.
The website has English,and some languages version.
It's very easy. You use your ticket's number written above your name.
You can choose Day, Time, Place.
The system is ''first come, first served''
When you got the first shot reservation, you can get the second shot one automatically, no neet to make reservation.
I've got vaccine twice already.
This reservation period accepts all ages( over 12).
Hoping the information help you.(*Ü*)
https://vaccines.sciseed.jp/kumamotocovid19/login
### For Kumamoto prefecture residents ###
This is English page about Corona vaccination at Grand messe.
Reservation acceptance start additional on Saturday, August 28 from 10:00 a.m.]
It is share for from Monday, August 30 to Monday, September 20 that accepts reservation.
https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp.e.qp.hp.transer.com/soshiki/45/102271.html
William. One year anniversary of the Kumamoto floods.
特集 熊本豪雨１年 | 熊本日日新聞社
河川のはん濫で通行不可能となった人吉市街地。奥が球磨川にかかる大橋＝午前９時２０分ごろ、人吉市寺町
Carlton here. Earlier today Kumamoto City sent out a LINE message which included the link to a cartoon manual explaining about the Delta variant of Covid-19 and how the city and we should cope with it. It is a cute document by a Japanese doctor supposedly and about 30 pages long.
Unfortunately, because of its format, I cannot easily and quickly translate it to English.
I attach the link below for any and all to review. Perhaps someone with language skills far better than mine might be willing to summarize its main points?
I'm posting it because many of us may be familiar with the information and advisories in our home countries. I thought it might be useful to compare that with what Japan is officially paying attention to and acting upon.
< https://www.city.chino.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/20034.pdf >
Megan here 🙏 Wanted to share some news about the Moderna vaccine and contaminants found in a lot from Spain. Lot numbers to check include 3004667, 3004734 and 3004956. As someone who received a Moderna vaccine it gave me some relief to check.
Currently the contaminants are unknown, and the health ministry has said there have been no reports of issues. However they have pulled the doses for safety.
Also important to note, no issues have been found in Kumamoto, but it couldn’t hurt to double check your lot numbers.
From the article, 👇
“The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said foreign substances have been confirmed since Aug. 16 at eight vaccination sites in the prefectures of Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Gifu and Aichi. Takeda reported them to the ministry on Wednesday.”
If more information comes out I’ll try to post an update!
Megan 🐰
Japan halts use of 1.63 mil Moderna vaccine doses over contamination
Japan's health ministry said Thursday foreign materials were found in some portions of unused doses of Moderna Inc's COVID-19 vaccine and the use of around 1.63 million doses manufactured in the same production line has been suspended as a precaution. Japanese drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical Co, whi...
William. Ryonosuke Veterinarian is not the cheapest vet in Kumamoto, as I learned when I used to take my dog there as he grew aged. They have recently launched a plan to care for dogs whose owners are hospitalized for covid at a cost of 3,300 yen per day. For some reason, cats are not welcome. If you're in trouble, I'd be happy to care for either for free.
ペット預けて療養専念を 熊本市の動物病院、コロナ感染者向けサービス提供 ｜ 熊本日日新聞
竜之介動物病院（熊本市中央区）は、新型コロナウイルスに感染した人のペットを有料で預かるサービスを提供...
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William. Kirin is selling beer featuring an image of Kumamoto castle, with proceeds going towards its reconstruction. Keep an eye out for it and give a kanpai knowing it's going to a good purpose.
https://kumanichi.com/articles/367728
Kirk here. I am one of a large number of people in Kumamoto to have had the pleasure and honor of visiting Matsunaga-sensei's smithy (kajiya; the place where he actually makes Japanese swords). When I visited, he allowed us to experience tameshigiri, using a real sword to cut through pieces of rolled up goza (the top layer of a tatami mat). I think many readers of this page know Matsunaga-sensei much better than I do. I'm only writing about him today because he came up in a conversation with my wife and that conversation led me to the following article:
https://www.visit-kyushu.com/en/discover/blogs/world-katana-sword-making-kumamoto/
If you're interested in Matsunaga-sensei, you may be interested in learning about Colin Young, a man who studied with Matsunaga-sensei and then started his own dojo in the UK:
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1221404.swordsman-point-make-traditional-values/
P.S. Until today I thought "smithy" as a nickname for someone named "Smith." Today I learned for the first time that it's a real word and refers to the workspace of a blacksmith.
William. Kumanichi reports a record-breaking number of corona virus patients in Kumamoto, with 179 newly diagnosed on 8/23, and that hospital occupancy has reached 80%. This presents a challenge for those who must be hospitalized for other reasons. The phone number at the link is to call if you feel you've come down with corona.
熊本県内１７９人が新規感染、月曜で最多 熊本市の病床使用率８割超す | 熊本日日新聞社
熊本県と熊本市は２３日、新たに１７９人の新型コロナウイルス感染を発表した。前週の１５２人を２７人上回り、月曜日としては過去最多。熊本市の病床使用率は前日から４・３ポイント上昇し８１・４％となった。８...
Hi friends, Atsuko here.
This is an announcement from Mr.Endo,Kumamoto city Superintendent of Education.
Schools might tell parents the details later.
Please wait your school's announcement and mails.
I took some screenshots and used google lens to translate. It's not perfect but useful.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4382427921808785&id=100001248625511
Atsuko lens (*Ü*)=
Mr. Endo Hiromichi.
We dicided students separated attendance and online lessons until 9/12, at today's Board of education meeting. The details are written in these photos.
Students might have to go to school 1-2 days a week with lunch. On the other days, they have online lessons.
Please want your school's announcement, notification about the details.
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
Google lens=
Endo Hiroji
At today's Board of Education meeting, we decided on decentralized school attendance and online lessons for the second semester (until 9/12). The specific implementation method is as shown in the photo.
School lunch is provided 1-2 days a week. Online classes will be held after the day of school.
Please wait for the school to contact you regarding the implementation method for each school.
ーーーーーーーーーー
Reiwa 3rd semester 2nd semester response policy
1 Elementary and junior high school
(1) Distributed school attendance
A. Implement decentralized school attendance in which "school attendance days" and "online class days" are set for each grade.
The principal decides the grade to go to school in the sun as the second grade for elementary school and the first grade for junior high school.
* Examples of "school day" and "online class day" will be shown separately by the Board of Education. C. At least one school day per week should be set for the health management of children and students.
However, the school year must be separated by at least two days. D. As a general rule, classes are held in the morning on "school day".
E. Children who are in the third grade of elementary school or younger due to medical care, etc., and children who need to go to school due to abuse or neglect (hereinafter referred to as "people who need to go to school") are basically going to school every day.
You can go to school.
For special needs classes, the correspondence of regular classes will be applied, but it is possible to take measures according to the situation of the school.
If parents are worried about having their child go to school on the “school day”, they may refrain from going to school, and even in that case, they will not be treated as “absent”.
(2) Online class
A. The number of hours of online lessons is based on the number of hours conducted at the time of distributed school attendance.
conduct.
B. The details of the online lessons will be announced separately by the Board of Education. C. Those who need to attend school for grades that are not on the “school day” will only be kept in custody and will take online classes at the school.
(3) Preparation date
A. In order to prepare for distributed school attendance and online lessons, the second semester
The first day of school and the day after that can be set as the preparation day.
B. All grades can be attended on the preparation day. However, in consideration of the purpose of preventing the spread of infection, we will devise measures such as staggered school attendance according to the scale of each school.
(4) School lunch
Regular school lunch will be provided during the decentralized school attendance period and the grades of school attendance. Regular school meals will be provided to those who need to attend school during the decentralized school attendance period and in grades other than the school day.
(5) Ministry activities
A. The decentralized school attendance period will be cancelled.
B. In club activities that participate in official competitions and competitions sponsored by physical education groups, club activities can be carried out only on one of the school year and weekly holidays.
However, refrain from morning practice and long-term activities. C. During the period of distributed school attendance, you must not be forced to participate in club activities.
ーーーーーーーーーー
(6) Child development club
The decentralized school attendance period will be from 2:00 pm.
B. Even for grades that are not "school day", it will be used from 2:00 pm.
2 High school and vocational school
(1) Implement decentralized school attendance according to the contents of elementary and junior high schools.
(2) Club activities during the decentralized school attendance period shall be based on the activities of elementary and junior high schools.
(3) The content of the online class will be decided by the principal.
3 kindergarten
(1) Implement decentralized school attendance according to the contents of elementary and junior high schools.
(2) Children who are similar to those who need to attend elementary and junior high schools can go to the kindergarten every day, but only childcare is provided.
4 Special support school
Discuss with the Board of Education about the contents of decentralized school attendance, etc. for each school.
Implementation premise
All of the above measures will be covered by "Priority Measures to Prevent Spread" from the first day of school in the second semester.
It will be implemented as a response until September 12 (Sun).
However, if the "Priority Measures to Prevent Spread" are extended after September 13 (Monday), the above measures will also be extended.
William. If you're an amature astronomist (I'm professional about being amature about everything), now is a good time to gaze at the sky. This is what you will see. 木星 (mokuse) is Jupiter, and 土星 (dose) is Saturn. "Fomalhaut" is something I'd never heard of; apparently, it's one of the brightest stars.
William. When I first set foot on these shores, my residence did not have a bath, so I took my bicycle down the hill to the onsen. Returning was uphill, but at least I was warm. The number of onsen has fallen dramatically as at-home baths have proliferated. Visit one while you can.
https://kumanichi.com/articles/363945Wi
William. An animal reserve called "Cuddly Dominium" actually exists in Aso. They had a llama until a few days ago; now, they have two (or, I suppose, three? Dad)? If you'd like to see a lamette, head on out. https://kumanichi.com/articles/363955
Both of my kids chose the convenient time of 1:30 AM to be born, so I wasn't doing anything except sleeping and suddenly driving. But it was a one-way drive, really quick, and even the doctors were surprised at how fast things came out. However, things seem to have become more complicated. If you're pregnant, behold the labyrinth.
妊婦「ひとごとじゃない」 千葉のコロナ感染者、早産で新生児死亡 熊本県「優先の病床確保」 | 熊本日日新聞社
千葉県柏市で新型コロナウイルスに感染した妊婦の搬送先が見つからず、早産した赤ちゃんが死亡する事案が発生した。熊本県内でも妊婦の感染例が出てきており、心配する声が上がる。県は「妊婦優先の病床を確保する...
Carlton. For what it's worth, LINE yesterday sent out a notice of a public seminar for Kumamoto city residents to be held on September 18 afternoon at the Kumamoto Prefectural Theater about 'Countermeasures Against Covid-19'.
The poster below is originally in Japanese and I ran it through a translator program and add it here for those who might be interested. This event will be entirely in Japanese I'm sure with no English translation.
I welcome comments about this. I'm not sure how worthwhile it will be and, under present 'quasi state of emergency' protocols, if ultimately a gathering like this can be held.
William. Lotus root (renkon, 蓮根) is a Japanese delicacy, particularly when it's spiced with a piquant mustard-type filling, when it's then called "karashirenkon" (辛子蓮根).. Some 90% of Japanese renkon are grown in Kumamoto due to the fortuitous combination of flat land and abundant water. Ironically, the abundance of water has proven too abundant this year, and renkon farmers are worried that they will not be able to get their crop in. There is a shop on the Kokai shopping street that specializes in renkon which I highly recommend. https://kumanichi.com/articles/361408
Kirk here with more about COVID-19. Today there were 318 new cases in Kumamoto. This is a new record and part of the national trend. You can check the local statistics on the following page:
https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/soshiki/30/92000.html?fbclid=IwAR3y0LmXBUUb-7ZlQxagqiL_saAjEJU4-MYAB5L7YnsF2hM56vvPBe-XHAc
RKK reported on a press conference held by Vice Governor Kimura in which he stressed that the vaccines are effective and that people who haven't been vaccinated yet should get vaccinated as soon as possible. He said that of the 2217 cases of the last 15 day, 90 were so-called breakthrough cases -- cases in which the person who got sick had already gotten both shots more than two weeks ago. The point is that that's only 4% of the total, even though a big chunk of the population has already been vaccinated. So, if more people get vaccinated the over-all numbers should decline.
https://rkk.jp/news/index.php?id=NS003202108201735590111
By the way, one piece of disinformation in the poster that Ruth shared with us (Thanks Ruth! It's good to know what's happening, even when it's crazy), is that COVID-19 is "just a cold." Well, today a 50-something man died at home from his "cold" here in Kumamoto today. Doctors wanted to hospitalize him but he refused because he didn't have someone to take care of his cat. :( This was also reported on the RKK evening news show.
Ruth here! Don't get caught up in the 'cluster parade' at Kumamoto Eki next Saturday, 28th August from 5pm 🔊
Nationwide anti-m*sk demos and parades to avoid this week and next!! You may want to avoid being at the locations mentioned in the poster/link both this and next week as there are anti-m*sk protests scheduled over Japan!! **Tokyo Eki from 5pm today!
Fukuoka - 27th August ・８月27日（金）福岡
第６回クラスターパレード・警固公園 福岡県福岡市中央区天神２丁目２ １５：００〜１６：３０
第８６回クラスターデモ・ イムズ 福岡市中央区天神一丁目6 17:00~
Kumamoto - 28th August・８月28日（土） 熊本
第８７回クラスターデモ・ 熊本駅 17:00~
Kagoshima - 29th August・８月29日（日）鹿児島
第８８回クラスターデモ・鹿児島中央駅 17:00~
Don't get caught up in a “cluster parade”. Check the link for places to avoid if you don’t want to inadvertently become a part of a super spreader.
https://kokuminsyuken.jp/news/8609/?fbclid=IwAR2d-os2GS1HeP5ENOoAk3ht2HZp0xo3dQ7tjUcJtQ4F6YxUDESHbxM3cLAFYI
Kirk here was some very old news that seems like it might have been written this year. I can no longer remember where I first saw it but, according to the following site, it was published in the Douglas Island News (Alaska) in 1918:
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/flu-prevention-1918/
Of course, this isn't specific to Kumamoto but it's certainly as relevant here as anywhere else. (Some items may sound a bit dated but I think most are still spot on.)
It's often said that if you aren't part of the solution you're part of the problem. With COVID-19, I think that statement can be reversed. If you can avoid becoming part of the problem (that is, getting sick or giving the virus to someone else), you're part of the solution. Let's all be part of the solution!
P.S. Apologies to those of you who have already seen this many times on social media.
